HyperX QuadCast 2 S Review: Your Favorite Streamer’s Next USB Mic

Again in 2020, the HyperX QuadCast S was the USB microphone each Twitch streamer seemingly had on their streams. Now, the QuadCast 2 S is right here to attempt to one-up its predecessor. And what does it deliver to the desk? Much more LEDs, for starters.

The unique QuadCast solely lit up in crimson, whereas the QuadCast S introduced full RGB help, and even supported gradients of colours from high to backside. The QuadCast 2 S takes it even additional with a twist, actually. The brand new mic has over 100 individually addressable LEDs specified by an array across the mic, permitting for extra complicated patterns like a spiral gradient rainbow. It’s a welcome addition, significantly for a microphone that’s so prone to be seen.

HyperX added just a few much less flashy options that make for a compelling improve too, although many of those had been first launched on the QuadCast 2. That features a multifunction knob that controls the enter acquire and headphone quantity and acts as a VU (quantity unit) meter to maintain you from peaking, plus a redesigned shock mount.

Gentle Up Polar Patterns

One in all my favourite options on the unique QuadCast S was the knob on the underside for adjusting acquire, which was each handy and refined. That’s gone on the brand new mannequin in favor of a extra typical knob that juts out of the entrance. It may not be fairly as trendy, however it’s extra helpful.

{Photograph}: Eric Ravenscraft

The knob is flanked by a semicircle of LEDs that change shade relying on what you’re doing. In the event you’re turning the knob whereas utilizing it as a microphone, it should gentle up purple to point the acquire degree. If you’re not touching it, it reverts to a VU meter, indicating how shut you’re to peaking, so you’ll be able to alter accordingly.

You can even press and maintain the knob to vary polar patterns, which is indicated by the LED ring on the highest of the mic. It cycles between cardioid, bi-directional, stereo, and omnidirectional patterns, with crimson LEDs lighting up on the perimeters of the mic so that it’s going to decide up sound.

That is essentially the most intuitive technique to change polar patterns I’ve seen. For comparability, the Blue Yeti USB microphone all however requires a tutorial to decipher its arcane symbols. Right here, you simply maintain holding the button till crimson lights are pointing within the route you need to document from. Now I would like this characteristic on each microphone I take advantage of. (It is accessible on the cheaper QuadCast 2.)